Littlehampton man’s ‘week of hell’ after flooding

Unemployed Terence Barter was one of those evacuated to the Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre, following the devastating floods in South Terrace, which ruined about 30 homes in the street.

Mr Barter, who has lived alone in his basement flat for more than three years, described returning to his home and being completely “heartbroken” by what he saw.

“The only possessions I had left were a couple of t-shirts, some pots and pans. Everything else was completely wrecked by the flooding,” he said.

“All my electrical equipment – ruined; my books, furniture and flooring – ruined. But what hurts me the most is the fact that all my family photographs have been utterly destroyed. They’re all I had left. It’s completely heartbreaking.”

However, the 61-year-old said that since moving back to try to piece together what little he has left, he has had to “camp” in destitute conditions.

He said that his flat – which still has traces of raw sewage, smeared across the living room floor – has been left without the basic creature comforts like electricity and gas.

For the full story, pick up your copy of the Littlehampton Gazette, today (Thursday, June 21).